Student safety was the impetus for a sidewalk project along East Mocking Bird Lane.

The $83,067 project is under way and is expected to be competed by the end of January.

We applaud the city for taking steps to protect our students from any hazards. In this case, students on their way to East High School were walking on the street to avoid weeds or mud.

Here are the projects being done:

Sidewalks will be constructed on both sides of Mockingbird from John Stockbauer Drive to Carriage Drive.

A sidewalk will be built off of the north side of Mockingbird to the Meadows subdivision and running parallel to the drainage ditch.

A sidewalk will be constructed between Leary Lane and the Century Lanes Bowling Center along Stockbauer.

These sidewalks will help make the area safer for students.

"We are very appreciative for the city moving forward on the sidewalks. The City Council and staff have been exceptional partners on many levels in moving forward with our new schools, and we value that relationship," said Victoria schools Superintendent Bob Moore.

"The sidewalks represent another example of that relationship. VISD legally could not expend funds off school property, and the city in an effort to promote pedestrian safety, dipped into its coffers to provide the paved walkways. Not only will our students benefit, but the walking public in general," Moore added.

While these sidewalks were needed, we understand more can be done to make areas around our schools safer for students.

We urge our city leaders to continue to pinpoint these areas, and when funds become available improve them.

Again, we thank our city leaders for approving and constructing these needed sidewalks.

This editorial reflects the views of the Victoria Advocate's editorial board.